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BUSTI, NY (WNY News Now) – A beloved annual festival will be coming to Chautauqua County for its 47th year. The Busti Apple Festival first made its debut in 1975, and has improved and evolved since then.
Put on by the Busti Historical Society each year, the Apple Fest seeks to highlight the importance of preserving history along with showcasing local vendors and demonstrators.
“We started out back in the early 70’s with a two-day craft festival, pioneer craft festival, on the fireman’s grounds and since we started acquiring property we’re up to 20 acres here on our campus, and so we have the festival here on our own grounds,” explained Busti Historical Society member Judy Schultz.
A popular item for sale, and arguably a large reason for attending the festival, is the apple cider available for purchase.
“We will have cider that has been pressed by the cider mill here in Busti, we will have over 20 crafts people in the demonstration building, we will have a variety of craft vendors all around the buildings here,” said Schultz.
The demonstrators setting up in the barn will show a variety of trades, including leather working, beekeeping, and quilt making.
“The demonstrators that will be in our barn, they’re showing how it would be done in the 1800’s and some of the things they’re doing, they let anybody try it,” Schultz said.
Organizers strive to incorporate the 1800’s into the event.
“We’ll have someone playing a fiddle, we’ll have pony rides, we’ll have horse and carriage rides, that brings us all back to the early 1800’s,” said Schultz. “If we didn’t preserve our history, how would you know what happened in the past so that you can relate to it in the present.”
“Everybody think good thoughts and think bright, sunny days and the festival will be a very nice place to be for any part of the family, young and old,” said Schultz.
The Busti Apple Festival will be held this Sunday rain or shine, starting at 11 a.m. and running until 5 p.m. Admission is five dollars per person, children 12 and under are free.
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